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M. QUINN. MAGh. E FQR BLOCKING AND PRESSING HATS.

No. 4731341. I Patented Apr. 26, 18-92.

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MICHAEL QUINN, OF WVESTBOHOUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TORICHARD S. COLTMAN, OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FOR BLOCKING AND PRESSING HATS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 473,641, dated April26, 1892.

Application filed November 10, 1891. Serial No. 411,512. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IVIIOHAEL QUINN, of Westborough, in the county ofWorcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain newand usefulImprovements in Machines for Blocking and Pressing Hats, of which thefollowing is a description sufficiently full, clear, and exact to enableany person skilled in the art or science to which said inventionappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which-Figure l is aside elevation of my improved machine; Fig. 2, a verticaltransverse section of the same; Fig. 3, a top plan view partially brokenaway; and Fig. 4, a sectional view of a modification.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the differentfigures of the drawings.

My invention'relates especially to machines for simultaneously formingor blocking and pressing straw-hats; and it consists in certain novelfeatures hereinafter fully set forth and claimed, the object being toproduce a simpler, cheaper, and more effective device of this characterthan is now in ordinary use.

The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understoodby all conversant with such matters from the following explanation:

In the drawings, A represents a cylindrical tank, which is providedaround its upper edge or mouth with an annular flange'b. A pipe (Z tapsthrough the bottom of said tank and connects with a supply-pipe f and adischarge g, suitable valves h 71 being interposed in said supply anddischarge, respectively, at opposite sides of the pipe cl.

The block 0 (see Fig. 2 is of the ordinary form and is adapted to bedisposed within the tank A, said block being supported therein by legs2' on a plane flush with the flange of the tank. The face of the blockis perforated at j. The upper face of the block is covered by a sheet ofrubber is or similar elastic material, said sheet being secured by anannulus m, fastened by bolts p to the bodyflange b. The interiordiameter of the ring m is the same as that of the tank A. A die or pressblock D is shaped to fit tightly into the ring m over the block 0. Asteam-pipe q encircles the crown of said die and is connected by a pipe0 with any suitable steamsupply, whereby the block D may be heated.

In operating the machine the hat H, prepared with sizing, is disposed onthe block 0 above the elastic sheet it, against which it is formed bythe die D. By opening the valve 7t Water under high pressure is admittedto the tank A, and passing through the perforations j in the blockforces the elastic sheet is against the hat material, shaping the sameaccurately into the die D. The valve h being closed and the valve 7L2opened, the pressure of the water is relieved from the elastic sheet,and heat being applied by the steampipe q the hat is readily dried intoits proper shape. The sheet prevents moisture from reaching the straw.By mounting the block Oon legs, so that a large water area is afforded,the pressure is equalized on all parts of the hat. The die D, fittingtightlyinto the ring on, all lateral movement thereof incident to thecompression of the elastic sheet is avoided. The hat when removed isentirely completed, excepting trimming and binding. The action of theapparatus, as described, at a single operation forms, blocks, andpresses the hat, which ordinarily necessitates at least two distinctprocesses. Instead of having the die fit tightly into the ring m, saiddie may be of sufficient diameter to cover the hat-rims of ordinarywidth, and the tank and ring be of a diameter suitable to .admit hatshaving wider rims. A heavy ring i may in this case be dropped betweenthe edge of the die and the ring m, the weight of said ring 25 beingsufficient to resist the water-pressure and form the outer edge of thehat-rim.

Having thus explained my invention, what I claim is In a hat blockingand pressing machine, the combination of a tank having an annularflange, means for supplying and discharging tion of said rubber coveringand connected to water to and from said tank, a detachable the flange,and a die shutting Within the anperforated block supported on legswithin nulus.

said tank on a plane flush with the flange of MICHAEL QUINN. said tank,a sheet of rubber covering said Witnesses:

perforated block and annular flange ofthe O. M. SHAW, tank, an annulusresting upon the outer por- K. DURFEE.

